A blast of arctic air this week helped shatter low temperature records overnight, with Des Moines breaking a more-than-half-century record with a low of 20 degrees below zero. Early Wednesday morning, temperatures in Des Moines plummeted to minus 20. The previous record for Jan. 30 was minus 17 in 1965. In northern Iowa near the Minnesota border, Estherville broke a 120-year record as temperatures dipped to 29 degrees below zero. The previous record was 27 degrees below zero in 1899.For perspective, residents in Barrow, Alaska, woke up to temperatures around zero degrees. A wind chill warning for Polk County was expected to end at midnight, with inclement weather extending into early Thursday morning. DOWNLOAD THE FREE KCCI APP | CLOSINGS & DELAYS | WEATHER ALERTS A wind chill warning means that the combination of very cold air and will create dangerously low wind chill values. The U.S. Postal Service took a rare step of suspending mail delivery to a wide swath of the Midwest, including Iowa. The deep freeze also forced widespread closures of local businesses and government offices. Dozens of churches have also closed their doors as the life-threatening cold settled across the state. RELATED: Dangerous cold doesn't freeze first responders' operationsUniv. of Iowa student dies as record cold sweeps throughARL: Charges pending after 2 dogs rescued from freezing coldIt's so cold in parts of the country that...Many school districts across the state -- including Des Moines Public Schools -- canceled classes because of the dangerous wind chills. All of Iowa’s public universities called off classes Wednesday because of the extreme weather. At the University of Iowa, Gerald Belz, a second-year pre-med major, was found unresponsive on campus early Wednesday. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died. Police said his death is believed to be weather related. Despite a grave warning to avoid going outdoors in the frigid cold for an extended period of time, some Iowa workers had no choice Wednesday but to brave the freezing life-threatening conditions.That includes Des Moines fire Lt. Chris Clement, who was among several firefighters responding to a water main break at Fifth Street in Des Moines’ East Village.Earlier in the day, the Des Moines Fire Department battled a blaze in the dangerous cold."There's really nothing you can do if you have to be out in it," Clement said.Business travelers visiting town from Atlanta, where the temperatures are in the 40s, said breathing in the arctic air was “painfully cold” but said they appreciate Iowans’ hospitality.At the Des Moines International Airport, some vacationers came home to a rude awakening. Traveler Daryle Johnson just returned from Key West Florida, where the low temperature morning was a balmy 66 degrees. In Key West, Iowa, the low was minus 28. RELATED: How central Iowa police officers are handling punishing coldARL of Iowa works to save animals in blistering coldOfficials throughout the region said they were focused on protecting vulnerable -- including the homeless, seniors and those living in substandard housing -- from the cold. The bitter arctic conditions persisted throughout the day, as highs predominantly stayed below zero across the state. Light winds dropped wind chills into the negative 20 to negative 40-plus range at times. In northern and east-central Iowa, wind chills from 40-50 degrees below zero are expected overnight. Tips to stay safe in the cold, courtesy of the Red Cross: Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.Know the signs of hypothermia - confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. If someone has these symptoms, they should get immediate medical attention.Watch for symptoms of frostbite including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin.Bring the pets indoors. If that’s not possible, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.Avoid frozen pipes - run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help avoid freezing pipes.Do not use a stove or oven to heat the home.Space heaters should sit on a level, hard surface and anything flammable should be kept at least 3 feet away.If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.If you have to be out and about, weather officials warned that you should dress warmly and know the signs and treatment of frostbite. The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in five minutes. Iowa State Patrol troopers urged Iowans not to drive Wednesday, if possible. Those who must travel should keep blankets, extra clothes and something to eat in case of an emergency. Troopers said drivers shouldn’t leave the house without a fully charged phone and make sure their gas tank is at least half full. Drivers should also make sure their vehicles are prepared to withstand the cold. Warming centers were set up across the Des Moines metropolitan area for anyone who needs shelter from the cold. In Des Moines, Southridge and Merle Hay malls, as well as all six public libraries, were open for temporary relief from the cold during normal business hours. The East Side Library on Hubbell Avenue will be closed Wednesday.Public libraries in Adel, De Soto, Perry, Van Meter and Waukee -- as well as the Public Safety Building in Waukee -- were also being used as warming centers during normal business hours.Some good news: There will be a 70-degree warmup, as temperatures skyrocket into the mid-50s this weekend. On Saturday, there will be a chance of afternoon showers with highs in the low 40s. On Sunday, it’ll feel like a heat wave, as highs reach the mid-50s and lows in the upper 30s.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) —

A blast of arctic air this week helped shatter low temperature records overnight, with Des Moines breaking a more-than-half-century record with a low of 20 degrees below zero.

Early Wednesday morning, temperatures in Des Moines plummeted to minus 20. The previous record for Jan. 30 was minus 17 in 1965.

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In northern Iowa near the Minnesota border, Estherville broke a 120-year record as temperatures dipped to 29 degrees below zero. The previous record was 27 degrees below zero in 1899.

For perspective, residents in Barrow, Alaska, woke up to temperatures around zero degrees. A wind chill warning for Polk County was expected to end at midnight, with inclement weather extending into early Thursday morning.

A wind chill warning means that the combination of very cold air and will create dangerously low wind chill values.

The U.S. Postal Service took a rare step of suspending mail delivery to a wide swath of the Midwest, including Iowa. The deep freeze also forced widespread closures of local businesses and government offices. Dozens of churches have also closed their doors as the life-threatening cold settled across the state.

Many school districts across the state -- including Des Moines Public Schools -- canceled classes because of the dangerous wind chills. All of Iowa’s public universities called off classes Wednesday because of the extreme weather.

At the University of Iowa, Gerald Belz, a second-year pre-med major, was found unresponsive on campus early Wednesday. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

Police said his death is believed to be weather related.

Despite a grave warning to avoid going outdoors in the frigid cold for an extended period of time, some Iowa workers had no choice Wednesday but to brave the freezing life-threatening conditions.

That includes Des Moines fire Lt. Chris Clement, who was among several firefighters responding to a water main break at Fifth Street in Des Moines’ East Village.

Earlier in the day, the Des Moines Fire Department battled a blaze in the dangerous cold.

"There's really nothing you can do if you have to be out in it," Clement said.

Business travelers visiting town from Atlanta, where the temperatures are in the 40s, said breathing in the arctic air was “painfully cold” but said they appreciate Iowans’ hospitality.

At the Des Moines International Airport, some vacationers came home to a rude awakening. Traveler Daryle Johnson just returned from Key West Florida, where the low temperature morning was a balmy 66 degrees. In Key West, Iowa, the low was minus 28.

Bring the pets indoors. If that’s not possible, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.

Avoid frozen pipes - run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help avoid freezing pipes.

Do not use a stove or oven to heat the home.

Space heaters should sit on a level, hard surface and anything flammable should be kept at least 3 feet away.

If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.

If you have to be out and about, weather officials warned that you should dress warmly and know the signs and treatment of frostbite. The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in five minutes.

Iowa State Patrol troopers urged Iowans not to drive Wednesday, if possible. Those who must travel should keep blankets, extra clothes and something to eat in case of an emergency.

Troopers said drivers shouldn’t leave the house without a fully charged phone and make sure their gas tank is at least half full. Drivers should also make sure their vehicles are prepared to withstand the cold.

In news that pretty much no one wants to hear ... we broke numerous low temperature records this morning across the state! #iawx

Warming centers were set up across the Des Moines metropolitan area for anyone who needs shelter from the cold. In Des Moines, Southridge and Merle Hay malls, as well as all six public libraries, were open for temporary relief from the cold during normal business hours.

The East Side Library on Hubbell Avenue will be closed Wednesday.

Public libraries in Adel, De Soto, Perry, Van Meter and Waukee -- as well as the Public Safety Building in Waukee -- were also being used as warming centers during normal business hours.

Some good news: There will be a 70-degree warmup, as temperatures skyrocket into the mid-50s this weekend. On Saturday, there will be a chance of afternoon showers with highs in the low 40s.

On Sunday, it’ll feel like a heat wave, as highs reach the mid-50s and lows in the upper 30s.